Israel detains minister in Hamas-led government

NABLUS, West Bank, May 24 (Reuters) Israeli troops seized a cabinet minister in the Hamas-led Palestinian unity government in the occupied West Bank today, the minister's wife said.

The troops took Education Minister Naser el-Deen al-Shaer into custody from his home in the West Bank city of Nablus, his wife, Huda, told Reuters.

''Five army jeeps arrived and asked for his (al-Shaer) ID. He identified himself and they took him,'' Huda said. ''I asked them, 'Why are you taking him'. The officer said, 'We have orders'.'' An army spokeswoman had no immediate comment.

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